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Essential Considerations for the Purchase and

Operation of Community Greenhouses

GREENHOUSE CHECKLIST

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Thinking about putting a greenhouse in your community?

To start and maintain a successful greenhouse, there are many options and aspects to consider. This checklist consists of a series of self-assessment questions, with related information and tips covering key considerations when planning to purchase, build, and ultimately operate a greenhouse. Appendix A is provided to illustrate typical greenhouse components and terminology.

Taking these considerations into account in the planning stage is critical to making informed decisions about the kind of greenhouse that will be right for you and can help avoid costly mistakes. After completing this checklist, you will be able to:

• Apply information and tips related to key considerations to yourgreenhouse project

• Take stock of your greenhouse planning process to date byidentifying which key considerations of your greenhouse planare clear to you and which might require further attentionand/or information

• Identify next steps to move forward your project implementation

Complete the checklist by answering each of the following questions. Any “I don’t know” answers in red will help identify areas in need of further attention.

For each question, check ALL answers that apply:

PURPOSE OF THE GREENHOUSE (OR GREENHOUSES)

1. What is the purpose of the greenhouse?

Teaching Healing Business/Economic development Job creation Food security and local food production I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

2. Who will be utilizing this greenhouse?

An individual A community Specific user group (i.e. school) A business and its employees I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

3. What will the greenhouse be used to grow?

Transplants Vegetables and food for community members Vegetables and food for sale Landscaping plants, potted ornamentals Reclamation plants Tree seedlings Medicinal plants I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

4. What is your user group or target market?

Local community Boutique/Speciality online

(Web based: herbs, teas, flowers, etc.) Retail stores Farmer’s Markets Reclamation and large-scale industrial projects I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

5. Do you want to use the greenhouse for multiple purposes (i.e.different crops, different growing conditions, different productionmethods, different seasons of the year)?

Yes. If yes, what purposes? (please describe):______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ No I don’t know

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BUSINESS PLANNING, FINANCING, MANAGEMENT, AND STAFF Following initial construction and set up costs, there will be on-going fixed and variable operational costs of running a greenhouse. These could include: loan payments, electricity, water delivery, fuel, tools, repairs and maintenance, cleaning, employee wages and associated costs, soil amendments and inputs, supplies, pest and disease management, etc. Business planning and feasibility analysis can be critical steps to achieving long-term economic sustainability for both non-profit and business focused greenhouses. The following questions relate to these considerations, but do not replace business planning or feasibility analysis.

6. Which best describes the economic operation of your greenhouse?

Subsidized (i.e. Financial losses are supplemented from other funding sources) Cost-recovered (Break even, i.e. operating expenses are covered) Profit making I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

7. How will the costs of purchasing, constructing and operating the greenhouse be covered?

Loans/Financing Grants Financial support from existing programs/other revenue Streams I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

8. If the greenhouse will be a commercial business, has a business plan and feasibility study been completed?

Yes, a business plan has been prepared and includes a 5-year cash flow forecast and marketing plan Yes, a rough business plan has been started, but needs further development No, a business plan has not been started Other:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ Tip: Finding and retaining the skilled labour necessary to operate and manage a greenhouse can be a significant challenge faced by many operations. Developing a human resource strategy early in the planning process can set the groundwork for success. 9. Who is going to manage and work at the greenhouse?

Recruited community members Recruited employee(s) from outside of the community Existing staff person(s) I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ 10. Do you anticipate full time and/or part time positions to be associated with the greenhouse? A. Full time positions:

Yes, we anticipate full time positions. i.) How many positions do you anticipate?____________ ii.) How many full time positions do you anticipate to be seasonal? None All Some, please specify:____________________________ I don’t know

We don’t anticipate any full time positions. I don’t know

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B. Part time positions:

Yes, we anticipate part time positions. i.) How many positions do you anticipate?____________ ii.) How many part time positions do you anticipate to be seasonal? None All Some, please specify:____________________________ I don’t know

We don’t anticipate any part time positions. I don’t know Tip: Many greenhouse operations will require additional labour and management during certain times of the year, such as planting and harvesting. This may coincide well with summer employment programs. Some greenhouse operations have also had success with creating shared positions between the greenhouse operation and other roles. 11. Will these positions be exclusively focused on the greenhouse or shared by other departments? Yes, please describe: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ No I don’t know 12. Is there a need for staff and/or management training, such as in horticulture skills, greenhouse construction and maintenance, sales and customer service, business management, or other areas?

Yes, specifically_______________________________________ No I don’t know

SITE SELECTION AND SITE PREPARATION It is very difficult to move a greenhouse once it is in place, so give careful thought to the best location for your greenhouse. It is best to observe a potential greenhouse site over a full year in order to gauge factors such as the direction and strength of prevailing winds, shading from nearby buildings and vegetation, and flooding/water table exposure. To minimize costs, look for a well-drained site with nearby or existing road access, services, sun exposure and requiring minimal earthwork. Keep in mind that there is never a perfect site and compromises must be made. Figure 1, on the next page, shows two sites where certain considerations weighed heavily into site selection.

Figure 1. The greenhouse on the left is located at a high school and demonstrates a location that is sheltered from regular high winds and is also very accessible to students (essentially a classroom). The site of the greenhouse on the right was also carefully selected. The photo was taken from an exposed location above the greenhouse, while the greenhouse was purposely placed in a more sheltered area to limit exposure to unpredictable winds coming across the surrounding fields and is easily accessed from the public road for operational requirements by machinery and customers.

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13. Does the proposed site require initial leveling or access improvements, such as backfilling with suitable material?

Yes, please describe: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ No I don’t know Having a dependable source of quality water is critical. Water should be potable (fit for human consumption), but other quality aspects also need to be considered. For example, well-water with heavy mineral content of iron and calcium can be problematic and contribute to poor plant growth and clog watering equipment nozzles and filters over time. Salts in water can also affect plant growth. Tip: well-water can be icy cold and shock plant root systems! If possible, fill barrels and let it warm to ambient temperature before watering to promote better water uptake and plant growth. 14. Does the proposed site have access to potable water?

Yes. If yes, quality and quantity: _________________________ No. If no, consider a water test for potability and mineral content. I don’t know The best time for earthworks to level a greenhouse site is before the bulky large greenhouse parts and pieces show up on site. If there is a high water table and/or sloping towards the greenhouse site, it would be advisable to ensure drainage ditches are completed prior to construction. Redirected water could be directed towards a new dugout or existing pond. Be sure to check with local water stewardship staff through Front Counter BC (frontcounterbc.gov.bc.ca) prior to starting work.

15. Is drainage or flooding an issue in the area?

Yes No I don’t know Some greenhouses attach to steel pins hammered into the ground (2-3 feet depth), others “plug-in” to feet embedded into a concrete perimeter ring or poured tubes, and some greenhouses are just freestanding. Care should be taken with freestanding structures because the wind can pick them up and damage them and their surroundings in seconds. In areas with abundant shallow bedrock, it may not be possible to hammer steel pins in to the depth required to hold down the greenhouse. Field check your proposed site location by digging down or pounding in a few test pins (1 ½ inch pipe). Conversely, loose, sandy ground may not have enough “holding power” to adequately anchor steel pins to the ground. A greenhouse manufacturer will be able to help design a system best suited for your conditions. Be sure to have the site information on hand when talking to them. 16. What kind of soil material will the greenhouse be built on?

Sand Clay Gravel Combination I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

Having a good solid, well-drained and weed-free floor inside of the greenhouse is helpful for various reasons. Floor options range from dirt to concrete. This decision will be driven largely by the crops you desire to produce and the budget. Tip: Putting down a good quality landscape material or weed cloth on top of the freshly completed earthworks before any structures or raised beds are installed makes a fine and clean floor to start from.

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17. What kind of floor will the greenhouse have inside?

Soil Sand Concrete Landscape cloth on top of soil Woodchips I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ For light-duty electrical needs in a small greenhouse, a good quality, covered extension cord is essential and may be all that is required. For the higher power and gas heat requirements of a larger greenhouse, at a minimum, a dedicated hydro meter on a service pole will need to be installed on-site as will a new gas meter. BC Hydro has a design team and an application process for new service proposals. Work with a local electrician early in the planning stage to avoid any surprises and potential delays. Check with your local electricity, natural gas or propane utility companies about service availability. 18. Does the site have power and natural gas service nearby (i.e. is the site less than 100 m from an existing electrical power line/pole)? Yes No I don’t know Estimate of distance to electrical line/pole:_________________ In addition to basic (new) electric power and gas services that may need to be brought to reach the OUTSIDE of the greenhouse, other services, such as water infrastructure (well, pump, pressure tank, piping, well-house), may also be required. INSIDE the greenhouse, gas fitting and water-proof electrical services need to be performed by a qualified professional. These costs can be substantial and should be determined at the time of pricing out the greenhouse structure, if not before.

19. What utilities need to be installed?

Natural gas service/propane Electrical Water: well, pressure tank, storage tanks, irrigation Sewer/grey water treatment I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ Building a prefabricated greenhouse can be a fun and straightforward experience, but it can also become a jumbled pile of steel quickly. Greenhouse manufacturing companies may offer assembly services (for a cost), but at minimum ensure a full assembly instruction guide is included with any purchase. Depending on local building codes, you may also be required to have a set of engineered plans from the manufacturer. Check with your local authorities and building inspector staff for specific requirements. You will have to gauge your existing skills, ability, and any tools required for assembly. Perhaps there are some handy community members willing to assist with assembly over a few days. Being more prepared by reviewing plans and the supplied materials will mean fewer trips to the hardware store. Tip: A minimum of two good quality 14-foot step ladders are essential for assembling any steel frame manufactured greenhouse.

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GREENHOUSE CONSTRUCTION (ASSEMBLY)

20. Who will build and maintain the greenhouse?

Greenhouse manufacturer (crew) Local contractor/Works Department Volunteers Community association I don’t know Other:_____________________________________________

21. Are hand and power tools (hammer, drill, cordless drill,sledgehammer, string or laser level, hacksaw, grinder, rachet/socketset, pipe wrench, wire cutters, etc.) available for capable assemblycrew members to use?

Yes No I don’t know

22. On a separate sheet of paper, draw a potential site map and scan (or use your phone to take a picture). Save it to your computer and then upload it into the box below. Consider water source(s), potential sources of shade (trees, building, mountains, etc.), direction the sun rises, topography and ID of areas requiring earth works (levelling, driveway access, site preparation for complimentary structures), prevailing wind, existing roads, and other factors influencing the suitability of the site.

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Matching your expectations of greenhouse production to environmental realities, while meeting budgeting requirements is critical. Wind, hail, and snow load are forces to be taken into consideration early in the planning stages. For extreme weather locations, greenhouse cost per square foot will be substantially higher because of the need for reinforced materials and other design requirements. Sometimes it is tempting to purchase and construct the biggest greenhouse possible with the assumption that it will be easily filled with plants, but often this leads to a bigger and more expensive structure than what is required. This is particularly true when starting a greenhouse enterprise for the first time. STRUCTURE CONSIDERATIONS 23. Which main environmental conditions could negatively impact your greenhouse structure over the course of the year?

Frequent and excessive snow loads Rain Flooding Prevailing winds Hail Excessive heat I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ 24. What size of structure do you require?

Small 10’x20’ (backyard, community garden scale) Medium 30’x50’ (community garden, small retail sales) Large 30’x100’+ (commercial business, industrial) Multiple structures (commercial business, industrial) Yes. If yes, how many?______ I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

Perhaps you have access to a sawmill and a willing carpenter in the community or local area? Depending on the anticipated scale of production and your budget, it might make sense to utilize these local resources to build your greenhouse structure, rather than purchase a manufactured steel frame greenhouse. Careful consideration of costs and benefits is needed before choosing what style of greenhouse and construction materials will be the best fit for you. There are a variety of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) greenhouse construction designs and resources available in printed publications and on the internet if you choose this option. Pressure-treated lumber is not recommended for where plant roots may come into contact, however, cedar lumber, if available, is ideal because of its rot-resistance properties. If considering a manufactured greenhouse (e.g. a greenhouse kit) try to find one from a BC-based company that offers robust customer support. Ask about other greenhouses they may have supplied in your region. Generally speaking, the arch-style roofed or “gothic arch” tubular steel frame and poly plastic is a tried-and-true durable and user-friendly greenhouse structure. A bonus of purchasing a complete greenhouse “kit” is that all the required pieces will be provided, including bolts, screws, doors, and vents. This will potentially save many hours of time you might otherwise need to invest in sourcing these materials yourself, which is a common challenge of a DIY project. 25. On the following page, review the typical greenhouse design options and associated considerations. Select the style of greenhouse best suited to your needs or mark ‘I don’t know’:

Arch-style roof Venlo-style Lean-to style Post and rafter I don’t know

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Arch-style roof (Includes a variation of forms: gothic arch, quonset, hoop house, ground-to-ground, etc.)

Considerations • Generally lowest cost commercial options • Snow will shed off, but may need to be removed

from sides to avoid pressure • Venting options may be limited depending on the

design

Lean-to style (Ground level or partially below ground level options)

Considerations • Can work well as do-it-yourself option • Can be built against an existing building or inset

into a hillside • Usually built south facing with insulated northern

wall • Can be a good option for colder climates

Venlo-style (Single structure or multiple gutter connected structures)

Considerations

• Utilized by much of the commercial hot house industry in BC

• Can be scaled up to meet most larger size requirements

• Allows for free, open floor plan

Post and rafter (Typically square sided)

Considerations

• Can work well as do-it-yourself option, particularly where small area is required

• Can be made from locally available or salvaged materials

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ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT Different plants require different amounts of heat and light, but in general, there is a point in early spring and late fall where there is just not enough daylight for adequate plant growth. Supplemental lighting will be required if planning to extend the production season into early spring and late fall. Careful consideration should be given to the extra cost of heating, lighting and staff time relative to the return on investment.

26. Will your greenhouse crops require supplemental lighting?

Yes. If Yes, when and for how many weeks/months of the year? ______________________________________________ No I don’t know 27. What irrigation equipment is needed?

Hose and watering wands Rain barrel and watering cans Drip tape or drip system Sprinklers I don’t know Other, please describe: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For an enclosed environment, airflow and temperature control are of critical importance. Temperature and humidity must be monitored and regulated closely as large variations in either can be detrimental to plant health. This additional equipment to control the growing environment (heat, lighting, irrigation) can be manually turned on and off, or automated. The additional up-front cost of automation should be weighed against staff time and availability to regularly perform environmental control tasks, such as switching equipment on and off. A very cost-effective way to get airflow into the greenhouse is by designing the greenhouse to have “roll-up” sides, on either one or opposite sides of the structure (see Appendix A). In this type of

structure, the bottom 5 feet or so of the side walls roll-up with a hand-crank at one end. In the peak growing season, greenhouses can become too hot for all but the most heat-loving plants like peppers and melons. Many greenhouses may require shade cloth covering, or at least a tarp, over the outside of the structure. The most efficient way to vent the hot air is through the peak of the roof: hot air naturally rises and vents out the top, thus pulling cooler ground level air in as part of natural convection. Many greenhouse manufacturers offer options for roof ventilation. Tip: Careful construction of a drip or sprinkler system and utilizing automatic irrigation timers can significantly decrease employee hours required to water plants. 28. What kind of temperature regulating equipment will be required?

Heating Ventilation Shade cloth I don’t know Other:______________________________________________ 29. What kind of venting do you want to use?

Automated roof opening (vents) Manual roll-up sides Thermostat controlled electric fans I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

30. What kind of heating system do you want to use?

Electric heater Natural gas/propane forced air heat Wood boiler Sunlight/passive solar/natural heat I don’t know Other:______________________________________________

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Tip: Heating the soil versus the air can be a much more efficient means of heat delivery resulting in a boost in plant root function as the heat is held in mass (in the soil). Running underground pipes with a non-freezing liquid solution from an outdoor wood fired boiler is a popular choice for a growing season extension heat source. SOIL, GROWING MEDIUM, AND AMENDMENTS After spending a lot of time and money building a greenhouse, ensure that equal attention is given to starting with the best soil or growing medium possible for optimal plant growth. For the purposes of this document, soil refers to naturally found material with average plant rooting depth, ideally full of living organisms and beneficial microbes. Growing medium refers to a pre-made and packaged commercial substance or mix (usually composed of peat, perlite, mulch and compost). Amendments refer to fertilizers, either chemically or naturally derived, but also include soil conditioners (such as sand, perlite, clay, silt, manure, compost, worm castings, bone meal, etc.). These are added slowly but regularly over time. The plants consume these trace elements and/or the soil amendments naturally adjust the physical property of the soil to improve growing conditions. Natural soil found on-site may not be optimal. For example, it may be heavy clay or too sandy. Therefore, many natural soils will require soil amendments to adjust the physical soil properties and nutrient composition. There are many variables to consider in building your soil/growing medium quality, but with experience you will learn the slight clues provided by the soil/growing medium and the resulting plant health. Tip: If sourcing composted manure from a local farm, be sure to talk to the farm operator and ask if they use herbicides in their operation. Some herbicides may persist in manure, even over years, and be detrimental to plant growth in the greenhouse.

31. What growing mediums are you considering growing plants in?

Peat moss/purchased growing mix Directly in the ground using what is already on-site Our own soil mix/compost Worm castings Hydroponics I don’t know Other(s):____________________________________________ WHAT TO GROW AND WHERE IT WILL GO Greenhouses can grow a very large amount of food in small spaces and in impressive timeframes. Careful planning and planting of seasonally appropriate crops is required (i.e. don’t plant heat-loving melons in September!). For a greenhouse business venture, it is imperative to grow what customers want. Also, consider your competition. For example, there can be many other commercial tomatoes to compete with during the prime growing season, so try to differentiate your products with quality, taste, accessibility, customer service, and/or by using different varieties. What can you offer at times of the year that other sources cannot? For example, higher profit margins may be found in early spring and fall season for leafy greens. 32. What does the local community or end consumer eat? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 33. What can the greenhouse provide to the community? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 34. Where do community members currently get their groceries from? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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35. Is there a local Farmers’ Market? If so, when does it operate and what kind of produce/goods does it sell? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 36. Does your community have an existing Good Food Box, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), or similar program?

Yes No. If no, would members of your community be interested in this type of program: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I don’t know 37. Are there regular local community meals (e.g. Elders’ luncheons, feasts or meals during community meetings or other events, etc.)?

Yes No 38. Are there existing catering opportunities for meetings and events in your community?

Yes No I don’t know 39. If there are catering opportunities, where do caterers currently source their produce (vegetables, berries, etc.)? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 40. Does your community currently have a community garden?

Yes. If yes, what kinds of vegetables/fruits/plants are grown: _____________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________ No

PRODUCE HANDLING, STORAGE, TRANSPORTATION AND REGULATION Food safety is important to all of us. It is about making sure our food is safe to eat. Safe food production and processing needs a farm-to-plate approach. Producers are responsible for complying with all relevant federal, provincial and municipal legislation and bylaws that deal with the production of food. CanadaGAP® is a food safety program for companies that produce, handle and broker sales of fruits and vegetables. The program has been fully recognized by the Government of Canada and is designed to help implement and maintain effective food safety procedures within fresh produce operations. Good agricultural practices in your greenhouse(s) will help you to: • Assess the risks associated with your daily farming practices • Minimize those risks • Customize a food safety program for your individual farm • Streamline record keeping and traceability requirements Commercial vegetable production in the province is regulated by the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission under the Natural Products Marketing Act and its Regulations. The BC Vegetable Marketing Commission is vested with the power to promote, control and regulate in any respect the production, transportation, packing, storage and marketing of Regulated Product grown in British Columbia. Your greenhouse location, size, product line, production yields and sales channels will impact which, if any, regulations may apply. There are various exemptions to these regulations which it is important to be aware of and clear on. Contact the BC Vegetable Marketing Commission directly through http://www.bcveg.com/ or 1-800-663-1461 for more information.

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41. How will produce be harvested?

By hand By machine I don’t know Other:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________ 42. How will the produce be moved from being harvested to processing? Plastic totes (see Figure 2) Cardboard boxes Canvass or paper bags I don’t know Other:_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

43. Will the crops grown need to be cooled after harvesting?

Yes No Multiple crops with different cooling requirements I don’t know 44. Do you have adequate refrigeration or cold storage space available? Is it a shared/community space?

Yes No. If no, what is required: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I don’t know

45. Is there extra packaging that needs to be done before selling the produce? (i.e. in bags with labels)

Yes No I don’t know 46. Will produce be washed before it is marketed/distributed?

Yes. If yes, are there other sanitation needs (i.e. Wash station as shown in Figure 3): _______________________________________________________ No I don’t know

47. How will the produce be transported to its final market or consumer, if required? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 48. How long will it take for produce to reach market? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Figure 2. Plastic harvesting totes

Figure 3. Basic washing station

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49. What is the perishability of your crop?

1 to 7 days 7 to 14 days 14 days to 1 month Multiple months I don’t know 50. Is the vehicle and/or other transportation infrastructure you require something the community already owns, or will it need to be purchased, leased or rented?

Already owns Need to purchase Will lease/rent I don’t know

51. Do the crops being produced need to stay cool during transportation?

Yes No Some of them I don’t know

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NEXT STEPS: EVALUATING YOUR OPTONS AND IMPLEMENTING YOUR PROJECT

Now that you have systematically worked through many of the key considerations when planning a successful greenhouse project, what next steps can you follow to get your greenhouse built and start operation?

First, assess your readiness and develop a plan to turn any “unknowns” into “knowns”.

1. Create a list of all questions marked as ‘I don’t know’. These are areas requiring further research and/or consideration before movingforward with your project. For each ‘I don’t know’, use the three columns to the right to help organize the areas requiring follow-ups withprofessional expertise, community input and/or additional work with greenhouse suppliers.

Questions marked with ‘I don’t know’ For each key consideration listed as an ‘I don’t know’, put a check mark or notes in each column that applies. Does this require professional expertise? (e.g. trades person, financial expert, regulatory and legal experts, etc.)

Does this area require further community or end users input?

Does this require further work with greenhouse suppliers?

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2. Based on the self-assessment questions completed above, where do you place your readiness to move forward with your project on a scaleon 1 (low readiness) to 5 (high readiness)? Highlight the readiness score that best applies to you.

1 - Low readiness Considerable work needed to gather

information on many decision areas

3 - Approaching readiness Decisions have been made

for several key consideration areas, but

several areas remain that require further research

and decision-making

5 - High readiness Most key decisions have

been made and incorporated into project

plans

3. Your next steps will depend greatly on your level of readiness and the areas requiring further research or consideration, as you haveidentified in questions 1 and 2 above.

Some examples of next steps include:

a. Schedule appointments with each of the professionals you have identified in Question 1 to provide expert advice on key considerationareas.

Tip: If you are not already working with a skilled professional in the field of expertise you require, be sure to speak with severalprofessionals who you might decide work with. Don’t hesitate to ask about their past experiences with greenhouse operations andrequest references from their other clients to decide if they are the right fit for your project. It is recommended to obtain quotes frommultiple manufacturers and service providers to ensure prices are fair market value.

b. If further input is needed from community members or end users, schedule a community meeting or arrange an online survey to gatherthe input that you need. What methods will work best will depend on who you need to consult with and the type of information you areseeking. Information on household vegetable preference may be gathered effectively through a survey, while for broader questionsrelated to land use decisions or community economic development strategies, a meeting may be a more appropriate venue.

c. Writing a business plan is an essential component of a successful operation, whether it is a for-profit venture or a not-for-profitcommunity program. A business plan provides a road map and helps to organize the information about how you plan to run theoperation into one document. If you do not already have a business plan that covers your purpose, business structure, human resourcesplan, marketing plan, production economics and financial plans, and other key business planning areas, consider developing one as partof your next steps.

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RESOURCES FROM THE BC MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

• AgriService BC – to help connect you with funding, tools and services to help your business succeed in BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriservice-bc

• BC Indigenous Agriculture Development Program – to assist with business planning and feasibility analysis and other programs offered by the BC Ministry of Agriculture: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/programs

• Crop production guides – includes information on best management practices for various crops, published by the BC

Provincial Government and Industry Associations: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/agriculture-seafood/animals-and-crops/crop-production

DISCLAIMER

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the BC Ministry of Agriculture are committed to working with Indigenous nations, individuals and industry partners. Opinions expressed in this document are those of the author and not necessarily those of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada or the BC Ministry of Agriculture. The Government of Canada, the BC Ministry of Agriculture and their directors, agents, employees, or contractors will not be liable for any claims, damages, or losses of any kind whatsoever arising out of the use of, or reliance upon, this information.

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1. Baseboard2. Arch anchor pin/footer3. Arch4. Roll-up side5. Purlin6. Wind brace7. Arch cross tie8. End/Gable wall (back wall)

9. Arch peak connector10. Polyethylene (poly) covering11. Poly lock (wire & channel)12. Hip board13. Vents14. Hand crank15. Ventilation fan16. Gas forced-air heater

Appendix A. Components of a greenhouse